Children aged five or older who are eligible for At Home Program Medical Benefits may qualify for extended occupational therapy (OT), physiotherapy (PT), speech-language pathology (SLP), chiropractic and massage services. These direct (one-to-one) therapy services are intended to:
At Home Program extended therapy services must be pre-approved and delivered by a qualified professional.
Each therapy service should be:
Please note that physiotherapy, chiropractic, and massage services may also be available through the Medical Services Plan.
At Home Program extended OT, PT and SLP services must complement and be consistent with the child’s existing therapy plan, and not duplicate school-/community-based therapy services.
At Home Program extended therapy services enhance the primary OT and PT services available through the School-Aged Therapy Program, and school district SLP services.
In partnership with the parent, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, and speech-language pathologists providing services through the School-Aged Extended Therapies benefit consult, and coordinate services, with the school-/community-based therapist(s) or school district designate.
Extended OT, PT and SLP services are provided to a maximum of 24 hours during a six-month period. Exceptions to this maximum will be considered for children requiring post-surgical rehabilitation services.
Therapy service providers may bill up to a combined total of three hours (within the maximum of 24) for consultation, report writing and travel purposes within the six-month period. This is intended to support a coordinated therapy plan across multiple environments and professional disciplines.
The maximum billing rate for OT, PT and SLP services is $80 per hour. Services lasting less than one hour must be pro-rated.
The maximum billing rate for chiropractic and massage services is $40 per hour – up to a maximum of 24 hours during a six-month period. Services lasting less than one hour must be pro-rated.
To request School-Aged Extended Therapies, print an At Home Program Request for School-Aged Extended Therapies form (fill and print, or print only) and have the form completed by a health care professional (occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech-language pathologist, chiropractor or massage therapist). Fax the completed form to 250 356-2159 or mail it to the Medical Benefits Program:
Medical Benefits Program
Ministry of Children and Family Development
PO Box 9763 – STN PROV GOVT
Victoria BC V8W 9S5
It is recommended that therapists assist families to prioritize outcomes and address a limited number of outcomes at a given time. Sequential rather than simultaneous therapy services are preferred - with each outcome having distinct services, frequency and intensity.
The health care professional must describe the intended functional outcomes of the therapy on the request form and should refer to the Writing Functional Outcomes – Guidelines for Therapists available online or by contacting the Medical Benefits Program at 1 888 613-3232.
An outcome summary is required prior to subsequent requests for School-Aged Extended Therapies. Refer to the Writing Functional Outcomes - Guidelines for Therapists for more detail.
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